Post Mortem Makes a Difference: On a Redescription of Euhemerism and Its Place in the Study of Graeco-Roman Divine Kingship

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 319-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nickolas P. Roubekas
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Natural Phenomena ◽  
Early Christian ◽  
Roman World ◽  
Theory Of Religion ◽  
Lost Work ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
New Interpretation ◽  
Divine Kingship

Abstract Euhemerus of Messene is one of the most popular ancient theorists of religion. In his now lost work Sacred Inscription he formulated a theory of religion by arguing that the Olympian gods were nothing more than prominent kings that were deified due to their benefactions to mankind. On the other hand, true divinity was to be found in the natural phenomena. However, this theory – known as euhemerism – has been (ab)used in many ways due to the different interpretative agendas of various authors and critics. In this paper I argue that euhemerism needs a new interpretation, a redescription, based primarily on a rereading of the text. In addition, by showing the different usages of the text by Euhemerus’s contemporaries and the early Christian writers, I argue that the connection of his theory with the practice of deification of kings in the Graeco-Roman world should be dismissed and reexamined by taking into account contemporary responses to his work that show that his theory was not meant as a justification for the deification of the Graeco-Roman kings.

What is Euhemerism?

2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nickolas Roubekas
Keyword(s):  
Religious Studies ◽  
Third Century ◽  
Travel Narrative ◽  
Early Christian ◽  
The Third ◽  
Roman World ◽  
Theory Of Religion ◽  
Comprehensive Examination ◽  
Divine Kingship ◽  
The Way

The third century BCE Greek writer Euhemerus of Messene composed a utopian travel narrative entitled Sacred Inscription where he articulated a theory, known as euhemerism, regarding the origin of religion. The theory maintained that all Olympian gods were deified prominent kings and later scholars made use of it as a justification of divine kingship in the Graeco-Roman world. Euhemerism managed to survive in the early Christian era as a theory that represents the falsity of the gods of the pagans. From a theory of myth to a theory of religion and from a less important element of Euhemerus’ utopian narrative to mere historiography, euhemerism has managed to preserve itself in scholarly discussions without the existence of a comprehensive examination of the theory from a religious studies perspective and the way it was used in later periods. Based on the various and divergent usages and applications of euhemerism both in historical studies and in theoretical discussions on religion, the question remains: What is euhemerism?

Correspondances étymologiques, lexicales et sémantiques dans le processus de féminisation de noms de profession, métiers et activités dans les sociétés française et roumaine

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-422
Author(s):  
Estelle Variot
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Roman World ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The One ◽  
Over Time

"Etymological, Lexical and Semantic Correspondences in the Process of Feminization of Professional Names, Trades and Activities in French and Romanian Societies. The feminization of thought represented by language and of its varieties in the Roman World has allowed to highlight some convergences that come from a common linguistic heritage, often from Greek and Latin and some hesitation about adapting society to its realities. The feminization of some words which comes from an ancient process illustrates on the one hand the potential of the language and on the other hand some constraints sometimes linked to the society itself, which creates transitional periods, between matching grammatical correction and the evolution of linguistic uses over time. The possibilities of lexical enrichment (internal creation or loan) show the means available in French and Romanian and some convergences in the area of derivation, of lexical units and their etymologies. The grammatical perspective and word constructing methods make it possible to give keys for the feminization of names of trades or professions. Likewise, recording entries in the lexicon, their evolution, their assimilation or sometimes their forgetfulness, for the benefit of new constructions highlight the existence of objective and subjective criteria which teach us a lot about society as a whole. Keywords: feminization of professions, internal and external enrichment, suffixal match, use of words, grammar, lexicon, French and Romanian."

The Effect of γ-Pre-Irradiation on Recoil Phenomena in Crystals

1963 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul N. Dimotakis
Keyword(s):  
Isothermal Annealing ◽  
The Other ◽  
Irradiation Effect ◽  
Decomposition Reactions ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
New Interpretation ◽  
The Way

SummaryThe γ-pre-irradiation effect on the recombination of recoil cobalt atoms in some neutron irradiated crystalline cobaltic complexes was examined. The introduction of defects into the lattice by pre-irradiation seems to increase the initial retention and promotes the annealing phenomenon, though on the other hand radiolytic phenomena may also appear. Plots of isothermal annealing curves appear to indicate the existence of two or more parallel consecutive recombination-decomposition reactions. A kinetic interpretation of such mixed phenomena is also given. Complex kinetic phenomena also appear to be quite general in annealing processes for systems already studied by other authors. These systems, if examined in this light, may lead to a new interpretation as to the way in which recombination occurs during annealing.

Intimations of Immortality in the Thought of Jesus: The Ingersoll Lecture for 1959

1960 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Henry J. Cadbury
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Resurrection Of The Dead ◽  
The Dead ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Immortality Of The Soul ◽  
Technical Terms

The historic Ingersoll lectureship on the Immortality of Man requires of the lecturer both some legitimate extension of its terms and some necessary limitation of his field. One is justified in supposing that the pious layman who planned the foundation was not thinking in highly technical terms, but like laymen of our day was thinking of a widely shared belief in the post mortem survival or revival of those who die. If he had wished to specify the indiscriminate persistence of the individual as a philosophical tenet of the nature of man, he could well have used the more familiar term — the immortality of the soul. On the other hand, if he had wished to be faithful to the wording of much of the Bible and to the Church's creeds, he would have spoken of the Resurrection of the Dead.

scholarly journals WATER: ISLAM NORMS AND SCIENCES

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-34
Author(s):  
Iksan Sahri Kamil
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Basic Material ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Ritual Activity ◽  
Basic Need ◽  
New Interpretation

Classic Moslem scholars discussed the water on starting chapters in their books. It is shown how important the water in Moslems attention as a basic need that Moslem must know. The water in Islam can be disputed in two terms. First, in the ecology perspective, second, in the mahdhah ritual perspective.  In the first one, the concept imagines the water as a basic condition for life being and human as khalifah Allah fi al-Ardh. This contains ecology perspective. And the other one is for ritual condition in Islam ethic (ilm al-fiqh). Ilm al-fiqh or Islam ethic said that the water is a basic material for removing hadath (forbidden situation for taking Islamic mahdhah ritual) and cleaning najasat (the dirty materials in shariah perspective). In other hand, sciences make a new way to understand Al-quran and al-sunnah as a new interpretation of Al-quran specially in nature and all creations in universe and ritual activity in sciences prespective

scholarly journals Volcanoes Denominations

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eaed Mohamad Al-Momani
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Natural Phenomena ◽  
Geodetic System ◽  
Geological Processes ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The World ◽  
Analyze Data

This study highlights the denominations used for currently dormant volcanoes, as well as the names used for some of them in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as a case study. This study also explains the nature of these volcanoes natural phenomena playing a major role in most geological processes contributing in the formation and development of the earth crust. On the other hand, this study has focused on identifying and analyzing some currently dormant volcanoes sites and their extension to the surface. This study used computerized programs, such as the World Geodetic System (WGS84), as well as the (ERDASIMAGINE) system to determine the volcanic sites in order to collect and analyze data. It has reached a few findings and recommendations regarding the denomination of volcanoes, the population’s safety guarantee, the resources of such areas, as well preserving the country’s landmarks

DOES LACHISH LETTER 4 CONTRADICT JEREMIAH XXXIV 7?

2002 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-174
Author(s):  
Ze'ev Begin
Keyword(s):  
Early Warning ◽  
Fourth Century ◽  
The Other ◽  
The North ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
New Interpretation

AbstractAccording to Jer. xxxiv 7, the Babylonian army, while advancing towards Jerusalem ca. 589 B.C.E., conquered all Judean fortresses except for Azekah and Lachish. On the other hand, the contemporary Lachish letter 4 was interpreted as signifying that Azekah had fallen into the hands of the Babylonians before the letter had been sent to Lachish from a nearby fortress. A fourth century B.C.E. ostracon indicates that that fortress could be Maresha. Since there is no line of vision between Maresha and Azekah, the dramatic interpretation of the Lachish letter 4 should be rejected and thus the letter does not contradict Jer. xxxiv 7. A new interpretation to the Lachish letter 4 is proposed, from which the main conclusion is that the defenders of Maresha, being unable to see Azekah, looked out southwards for the signals from Lachish in order to afford themselves an early warning of an attack from the north.

The Photian Schism in Western and Eastern Tradition

1948 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 310-331
Author(s):  
F. Dvornik
Keyword(s):  
Ninth Century ◽  
The Other ◽  
Early Christian ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
History Of ◽  
Great Schism ◽  
Greek Scholar ◽  
The Way

The problem of the Patriarch Photius involved one of the most tangled and bitter differences that hamper friendly relations between Eastern and Western Christianity. Since the Renaissance, Photius, a Greek scholar of the ninth century, has been venerated by philosophers and philologists alike as the genius who among others was instrumental in transmitting to later generations classical Greek and Hellenic culture. On the other hand, Photius' name has been associated with the rise of the first schism in the ninth century when, under Pope Nicholas I, Photius played a prominent part in the first clash between the papacy and the East. The result is that the same man who is venerated as a saint by the Eastern Church, and as one of the last living witnesses of the tradition of the early Christian Fathers, has been for centuries regarded by the Christian West as the father of the great schism, as a prevaricator who falsified papal letters and conciliar Acts, and as a symbol of pride and lust for ecclesiastical domination. It is evident that both views cannot be right. Hence, the history of the Patriarch still stands as the greatest stumbling block barring the way to a better understanding between eastern and western Christendom. The apparent impossibility of reconciling such contradictory estimates has left historians with the feeling that history in this case finds itself in a cul-de-sac.

scholarly journals Flies Do Not Jump to Conclusions: Estimation of the Minimum Post-Mortem Interval for a Partly Skeletonized Body Based on Larvae of Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 294
Author(s):  
Senta Niederegger ◽  
Gita Mall
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Entomology ◽  
Female Body ◽  
The Other ◽  
Phormia Regina ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Post Mortem Interval ◽  
Other Hand

Skeletonization is often perceived as an indicator of long post-mortem intervals. The finding of feeding larvae of first colonizers, on the other hand, indicates days. We present a case in which both findings were present. Larvae of Phormia regina, aged 9 days, and skeletonization of the head and part of the thorax were both found on an unidentified female body. Identification of dentures eventually led to resolution of the case and a confession, which settled the seeming contradiction in favor of forensic entomology.

scholarly journals A.2. P.Lond.Lit. 207 and the origin of the nomina sacra: a tentative proposal

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don C. Barker
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Personal Names ◽  
Early Christian ◽  
Other Hand

The origin and development of the nomina sacra (sacred names written in an abbreviated form) found in early Christian texts is much debated in scholarly circles and no agreement has been reached. However the use of the nomina sacra in P.Lond.Lit. 207 may help to resolve some of the questions that surround the puzzle of their origin. P.Lond.Lit. 207 is a portion of papyrus that has broken off from a roll (24.5 X 25.7 cm), covering Psalms 11(12):7 to 14(15):4. The scribe of P.Lond.Lit. 207 has consistently written Kurios in an abbreviated form (nomen sacrum), giving only the first and last letters, and a supralinear bar drawn above the abbreviation. On the other hand, Theos is always written uncontracted. This is quite unusual given that Theos in Christian texts is always written as a nomen sacrum. Could the reason for this practice in P.Lond.Lit. 207 be found in the Semitic custom of contracting personal names to the first and last letter? Is Kurios abbreviated in this Semitic fashion to notify the reader that the word is being used to translate the personal name (the Tetragrammaton) of the Hebrew deity?

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